Skunkyrate Gripping story with well-crafted characters

Phonearl Good start, but then it gets ruined

Bessie Smyth Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Phillipa Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

MrMuffinMan I think that no film made can grade an IMDb 10 out of 10 - there is no such thing as perfection in art, the imperfection and striving for perfection is what makes art "art" and not just the words or pictures or sounds, but this movie comes very close. A challenging, totally immersive film experience. Beautifully constructed filmed and scored, it seems to reflect the essence of what was Mishima, seemingly conflicted, driven ideals were a launchpad for a celebrated and often controversial life. His art, political and personal beliefs are separate but all interconnected and essential aspects of the man, and the film manages to reflect this, combining all these elements within a beautifully presented and concise package. The Philip Glass music is very much love or hate, but if you happen to like Glass's style, this film can become the most incredible movie experience, as it provides the emotional drive for the arid narrative, the three intense highly colored selections from his short fictional stories and the final biographical scene. Still so underrated, but even after 25 years, it is one of the finest realisations of the art of cinema.

Damian Bridgeman I saw this originally on Channel 4 (UK) and it was a fantastic film that left a great impression on me. However I saw it on Irish TV recently and there was an added narration by Roy Scheider ("we're going to need a bigger boat!"). This ruined the film for me. His droning monologue adds absolutely nothing to the film, and if anything takes from the films brilliance. I wonder at the new DVD version that has no Roy (due to legal reasons?) would stop people from buying it. Well believe me, the film is much better for it!CheersDamian

poc-1 I never heard of Mishima before I watched this film and although parts of it are a little tedious, I still find myself drawn to watch it when it is repeated on the box. At the beginning of the film, we are told about a celebrated Japanese writer behaves like a lunatic and commits seppuku in public. As the film progresses you are gently inducted into twisted logic of Mishima's mind. The stages of his life are are presented in four chapters. Each chapter itself is a blend of two contrasting narratives, the first continues the story with scenes from Mishima's life and appear in black and white. The second narrative is an adaptation of scenes from a novel and these are staged like a play and filmed in vivid colours. There is a different novel staged in each chapter. Between each chapter, the narrative returns to the present, as Mishima proceeds towards his eventual ritual suicide. This means that the drama and tension is maintained until the end. I suspect that many people will find this film to be boring pretentious and art-house. I respect that, this is not a film for people who want action and a strong story line. If on the other hand you are the kind of person who relishes the opportunity to penetrate the mind a bizarre man while watching his life story told in collage of beautiful pictures set to music by Philip Glass, you will love it. I loved it.

allar100 This is a movie that should be viewed and treated as a piece of art. This is an oblivious labour of love by the Schrader brothers about the life of Yukio Mishima that is full truly artistic elements. The movie jumps from color to black and white, past to present, fictional works by Mishima to him. All without being confusing in the least bit. The only thing that gets me is that the entire movie, with the exception of the narrator's spoken parts is in Japanese. Still a masterpiece that deserves an audience but hasn't found won. Criterion, if you are reading this, this is a film that should be released under your imprint with as much extras as possible. This film truley deserves more. 10/10